There was an important reason why Scott Forrester (Luke Kleintank) left FBI: International after season 3. For the first three seasons of the police procedural, Forrester was the head of the elite Fly Team, which investigated international crimes that threatened the safety of the United States or violated the rights of US citizens living abroad. Like most shows in the One Chicago universe, it has had its fair share of cast turnover, though Forrester was a constant presence until near the end of season 3.
Luke Kleintank Left FBI To Spend More Time With His Family
Kleintank’s Decision Required FBI: International To Explain Forrester’s Absence
Luke Kleintank announced he was leaving FBI: International shortly after the series scored its season 4 renewal. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family, though he was grateful for the three years he spent on set (via Deadline). This decision meant that the series needed to quickly find a way to write his character out, as there were only a few episodes left before his departure.
Forrester’s final episode aired on May 7, with two new episodes left in the season. Thus, Forrester was said to be missing in action. Meanwhile, Chicago Med alum Colin Donnell temporarily joined the cast as an NSA agent who led the team in his absence. By the finale, it had been revealed that Forrester was hiding out in Russia with his mother, who was a fugitive, thus ending the possibility that he would return to the Fly Team after being found.
How Wes Mitchell Connects To Scott Forrester In FBI: International
The New Team Leader Doesn’t Know Forrester But Is Familiar With Vo
There is no direct link between newcomer Wes Mitchell (Jesse Lee Soffer) and Scott Forrester. Mitchell is an LAPD cop who came to Budapest seeking the Fly Team’s help. After his partner was shot, Mitchell followed the killer’s trail to Budapest, which is what led him to the Fly Team. This was a surprising entrance, as it was widely speculated that the FBI would tap someone to be the permanent leader rather than leave it to chance that the right person would come along to fill the position.
While Forrester was level-headed and attempted diplomatic solutions to conflicts with local law enforcement, Mitchell has already demonstrated that he is more impulsive and willing to take risks in the name of getting justice.
Mitchell’s introduction was made easier by the fact that he had worked with Vo before. Mitchell was once her trainer, and thus she trusts him. Vo also encouraged Mitchell to become their permanent leader, helping the fact that Soffer replaced Kleintack on FBI: International go more smoothly. It was also helpful that he had a completely different personality from Forrester. While Forrester was level-headed and attempted diplomatic solutions to conflicts with local law enforcement, Mitchell demonstrated that he was more impulsive and willing to take risks in the name of getting justice.
Can Scott Forrester Still Return to FBI: International?
His Exit Was Open-Ended, But It Would Be Difficult
Forrester was not killed off, so technically, he can still return to the Fly Team. However, he is now a fugitive, as he helped his mother escape to Alaska. It would be difficult for him to return to the Fly Team as he likely would face arrest, as well as suspension from his former job, for aiding and abetting his mother’s escape when she is wanted by the FBI.
If Forrester were to return to FBI: International, it could be in a dramatic story in which the Fly Team is asked to track down and arrest their former leader, which would lead to divided loyalties and a compelling conflict. However, this story would end with him either being made to face justice or evading capture again, and it is unlikely that he would ever be able to return in a leadership capacity.
With FBI: International ending with season 4, time is running out for Forrester to return, and it seems less and less likely with the finale fast approaching. It seems Mitchell will remain the team leader regardless of whether Forrester returns to the series.
Other Actors Who Have Left The FBI Franchise
Some Departing Actors Have Returned
While Luke Kleintank’s exit from FBI: International is a notable one, he is hardly the only actor to have left the FBI franchise. The original series, as well as its spinoffs, FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, have seen some considerable cast changes over the years, including with some of the main characters, such as Klentank’s Forrester.
| FBI’s Notable Cast Exits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Actor | Character | Show |
| Julian McMahon | Jess LaCroix | FBI: Most Wanted |
| Heida Reed | Jamie Kellett | FBI: International |
| Sela Ward | Dana Mosier | FBI |
| Katherine Renee Kane | Tiffany Wallace | FBI |
Kleintank wasn’t even the only actor to leave FBI: International in season 3, as Heida Reed left her role as Jamie Kellett after appearing in the first episode of the third season. It was explained that she would be returning to the United States to work in the Washington, DC office. Christiane Paul was a regular cast member as Katrin Jaeger in the first season of FBI: International, only to become a guest star in the second season and not be seen again.
Interestingly, though it is the longest-running of the franchise, FBI has maintained most of its core cast with a few exceptions.
FBI: Most Wanted has seen the most cast changes with Julian McMahon, Kellan Lutz, Nathaniel Arcand, YaYa Gosselin, Miguel Gomez, and Alexa Davalos all leaving the show early. Interestingly, though it is the longest-running of the franchise, FBI has maintained most of its core cast with a few exceptions. Ebonée Noel and Sela Ward both made exits early in the series. However, Katherine Renee Kane left FBI in the role of Tiffany Wallace in season 6, but returned in season 7, suggesting there is slim hope for Kleintank’s return in FBI: International.
How FBI: International Has Fared Without Luke Kleintank
FBI: International Is Coming To An End
While FBI: International attempted to continue strong following Luke Kleintank’s departure, the show has been cancelled, ending with season 4. The decision came in March 2025 when season 4 was already in the middle of its run. As the spinoff series approaches its finale, the hope of it being saved by another network now seems very unlikely. However, it is debatable how much of this decision is related to Kleintank leaving the show.
While Jesse Lee Soffer did a fine job as Wes Mitchell, taking over the lead role, it was clear that FBI: International was missing Forrester as the team leader. There was some sense that the series might have worked better going forward had one of the original cast members been elevated to the lead role rather than bringing in a new character. However, that is not to say the casting change is the reason for the cancellation.
FBI: International‘s rating slipped somewhat from season 3, which could be related to Kleintank’s exit, but the show was still middle of the pack in terms of CBS dramas (via TV Line). It could simply be that, with its globe-trotting premise, the cost of the series was no longer sustainable. The fact that FBI: Most Wanted was also cancelled suggests the franchise is making some changes as well. Regardless, FBI: International didn’t get much opportunity to see how it could continue without Kleintank in the cast.
